Exploring Green-Wood Cemetery and Sunset Park: A Journey Through Brooklyn’s LGBTQS History
Difficulty
easy
Duration
3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels with moderate walking required
Overview
Discover Brooklyn’s hidden LGBTQS heritage with a guided tour through Green-Wood Cemetery and Sunset Park. This unique 3-hour walk combines nature, history, and community stories in a serene urban setting.
Green-Wood, Sunset Park, & LGBTQS Lives
For all ages! • 3 Hours • Brooklyn
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About This Adventure
Beyond the Tombstones: Unveiling Green-Wood's LGBTQ Legacy & Sunset Park's Secrets!
Duration
3 hours
About
With 478 acres of land, 7,000 trees, and more than 600,000 "permanent residents," Green-Wood Cemetery has many stories to tell. So many, I have to split it in two parts.
This tour covers the past, present, and future of Green-Wood Cemetery and its place in Brooklyn's and the city's larger history in terms of commemoration of life and death. The tour highlights major works of art and architecture among the mausoleums in the cemetery. This tour also highlights grave sites on the western half of the cemetery, including some of Green-Wood's "permanent residents" who have made an impact on New York's story and on LGBTQ history, culture, and experiences in America, such as Leonard Bernstein and Emma Stebbins (sculptor of the "Angel of the Waters" statue atop Bethesda Fountain in Central Park); and covers of the history, peopling, and contemporary issues of the Sunset Park neighborhood to the south and west of the cemetery.
Ticket price includes $5 per person to the Green-Wood Historic Fund
Adventure Tips
Wear comfortable walking shoes
The tour covers several miles across varied terrain, so sturdy footwear is a must.
Bring water and snacks
Stay hydrated and energized during the 3-hour outdoor walk.
Check weather forecasts
Tours proceed rain or shine but dress appropriately for comfort.
Respect the cemetery rules
Maintain quiet and follow guidelines to honor this active burial ground.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Wild turkeys roaming the cemetery grounds
- Migratory songbirds common in tree canopies
History
Green-Wood Cemetery was established in 1838 and is one of the first rural cemeteries in America, reflecting 19th-century attitudes toward death and nature.
Conservation
Efforts are ongoing to preserve both the historic monuments and the natural habitats within the cemetery, balancing cultural respect with environmental stewardship.
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Adventure Hotspots in New York
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Comfortable walking shoes
Key for all-day comfort on varied cemetery paths and park trails.
Reusable water bottle
Stay hydrated during the outdoor tour.
all specific
Weather-appropriate clothing
Layer your clothing to adapt to variable weather during the walk.
Sun protection (hat and sunscreen)
Protect yourself from sun exposure during midday outdoor sections.
summer specific